Container, especially for radioactive substances

Abstract

Container, especially for radioactive substances such as radioactive liquids, with an inner container for receiving these substances and an outer container, in which the inner container and thermal insulation between the inner and outer container are located. The inner container is associated with a cooling tube within the outer container which tube contains a coolant that can be circulated. A heat discharge tube likewise containing the coolant that can be circulated is arranged at the outer container. The cooling tube and the heat discharge tube are in communication with each other via connecting lines at both tube ends.

There is claimed: 
     
       1. Container, especially adapted for enclosing radioactive substances such as radioactive liquids, which comprises; an inner container for receiving a substance to be contained and sealed gas and liquid tight under normal operating conditions, an outer container in which the inner container is disposed, and thermal insulation between the inner container and the outer container, in combination with a closed tubular circulating system comprising a coolant tube associated with the inner container disposed within the outer container, said coolant tube containing a fluid coolant which circulates through the coolant tube out of direct contact with the substance in the inner container, a heat-discharge tube which also contains the coolant arranged along the inner wall of the outer container with said thermal insulation between said cooling and heat discharge tubes and connecting lines at both tube ends of the cooling tube and the heat discharge tube through which said cooling tube and said heat discharge tube are in communication with each other to permit circulation of the coolant from the coolant tube to the heat-discharge tube and return of the coolant from the heat-discharge tube to the coolant tube. 
     
     
       2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the cooling tube is attached to the outside of the inner container. 
     
     
       3. Container according to claim 1, wherein a feedthrough with a pressure relief valve or a rupture disc is provided in the wall of at least one of the cooling tube, the heat discharge tube and the connecting lines. 
     
     
       4. Container according to claim 1, wherein a feedthrough which is closed-off by a solder, the melting temperature of which is lower than the melting temperature of the material of the cooling tube, the heat discharging tube and the connecting lines, is provided in the wall of at least one of the cooling tube, the heat discharge tube and the connecting lines. 
     
     
       5. Container according to claim 3, wherein the feedthrough opens to the outside of the outer container. 
     
     
       6. Container according to claim 4, wherein the feedthrough opens to the outside of the outer container. 
     
     
       7. Container according to claim 1, wherein a connecting nozzle for a cooling unit is provided at the connection lines. 
     
     
       8. Container according to claim 1, wherein a connecting nozzle for a cooling unit is provided at the heat discharge tube. 
     
     
       9. Container according to claim 1, wherein in the interior of the inner container, a body of a material which readily absorbs neutrons is arranged. 
     
     
       10. Container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is provided with a pressure relief valve leading into the outer container. 
     
     
       11. Container according to claim 1, wherein an absorption body is located in the outer container, outside the inner container for taking up substances which have escaped from the inner container into the outer container.